Mobile communication terminal recognition system and mobile communication terminal recognition method using the system

ABSTRACT

Herein disclosed are a mobile communication terminal recognizing system, a mobile communication terminal, a relay apparatus, a center apparatus, and a mobile communication terminal recognizing method, which enable a user to receive contents related to a cable television service, as well as are capable of easily identifying the service area where the user is located and accordingly communicating with the user regardless of whether or not the user moves into a service area other than the service area of the CATV station which the user has subscribed to. When a vehicle ( 5 ) moves into a service area of a CATV station ( 3, 4 ) other than the service area of the CATV station which the user has subscribed to and a CATV mobile terminal ( 6 ) receives contents from the ATV station ( 3, 4 ) by wireless, the CATV station ( 3, 4 ) is operated to store therein delivery history information indicative of a history of delivering the contents, and the CATV mobile terminal ( 6 ) is operated to store therein utilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing the contents. A subscriber station ( 2 ) is operated to collect and count the delivery history information and the utilization history information after transmitting an inquiry about the delivery history information and the utilization history information to the CATV station ( 3, 4 ) and the CATV mobile terminal ( 6 ) by way of multicast communication.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminalrecognizing system capable of managing service history informationindicative of a history of providing a cable television service eventhough a mobile communication terminal moves from one service area toanother service area and receives the cable television service from twoor more relay apparatuses installed in respective service areas, andmore particularly to a mobile communication terminal, a relay apparatus,a center apparatus, and a mobile communication terminal recognizingmethod thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

Up until now, there have been provided a wide variety of systems forproviding a cable television service, hereinlater simply referred to as“CATV service”. The CATV service includes a television broadcastingservice provided for a fringe and local area, and a service for aconnection with a computer communication network, such as an internet.

The broadcasting programs of this CATV service include contentsconcerning a weather forecast, traffic information, a program of anevent, music, a movie, and the like. A user subscribes to a cabletelevision station, hereinlater simply referred to as “CATV station” ina service area where he or she lives, to have a dedicated connectionline laid from the CATV station to his or her room. The user receivesthe contents through the dedicated connection line, and pays a feecharged in exchange for the contents to the CATV station.

The conventional CATV system, however, encounters a drawback that theuser cannot receive the contents from the CATV station using a mobilecommunication terminal such as, for example, CATV mobile terminalmounted on a vehicle resulting from the fact that the user receives thecontents through the dedicated connection line.

The conventional CATV system encounters another drawback that the usercannot receive any CATV service when the user moves into a service areaof a CATV station other than the CATV station, to which the user hassubscribed, resulting from the fact that the user subscribes to a CATVstation in the fixed service area.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide asystem which makes it possible for a user to receive contents from theCATV station using a mobile communication terminal regardless of whetheror not the user moves into a service area other than the service area ofthe CATV station to which the user has subscribed.

The present invention is made with a view to overcoming the abovementioned drawbacks and is directed to a mobile communication terminalrecognizing system, a mobile communication terminal, a relay apparatus,a center apparatus, and a mobile communication terminal recognizingmethod, which enable a user to receive contents related to the cabletelevision service as well as are capable of easily identifying theservice area where the user is located and accordingly communicatingwith the user regardless of whether or not the user moves into a servicearea other than the service area of the CATV station to which the userhas subscribed.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided amobile communication terminal recognizing system, comprising: a mobilecommunication terminal mounted on a movable object and capable ofestablishing a connection with a cable television service line bywireless; a plurality of relay apparatuses respectively installed in aplurality of service areas, and each of the relay apparatuses beingoperative to deliver contents concerning a cable television service tothe mobile communication terminal moving within each of the serviceareas; a center apparatus for establishing a connection with the mobilecommunication terminal and the relay apparatuses to ensure that themobile communication terminal moving within the service area receivesthe contents from one of the relay apparatuses, and in which the mobilecommunication terminal moving within a service area is operative totransmit request information and user information to the relay apparatusinstalled in the service area by wireless, the relay apparatus installedin the service area is operative to assign relay position identificationinformation to the mobile communication terminal in response to therequest information and user information, the mobile communicationterminal is operative to transmit content request information to therelay apparatus determined in accordance with the relay positionidentification information by wireless upon receiving the relay positionidentification information, the relay apparatus is operative to deliverthe contents to the mobile communication terminal and store thereindelivery history information indicative of a history of delivering thecontents in response to the content request information, the mobilecommunication terminal is operative to store therein utilization historyinformation indicative of a history of utilizing the contents, thecenter apparatus is operative to inquire to the relay apparatuses aboutthe delivery history information by wireless. Here, the communication isperformed by way of IP communication using IPs respectively indicativeof constituent devices forming par of CATV stations connected with oneanother through a network.

The relay apparatuses are operative to transmit the delivery historyinformation to the center apparatus if stored therein, the centerapparatus is operative to collect and count the delivery historyinformation received from the relay apparatuses and inquire to each ofthe relay apparatuses about the user information of the mobilecommunication terminal having logged into in the service area of each ofthe relay apparatuses, and the mobile communication terminal isoperative to transmit to the center apparatus the relay positionidentification information assigned thereto within the service area andthe utilization history information stored therein in combination withthe user information when the center apparatus inquires about the userinformation of the mobile communication terminal having logged into inthe service area.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal is operative to receive contents delivered from the relayapparatus by wireless even through the movable object moves away fromits service area into another service area of relay apparatus, which theuser of the mobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to,and the mobile communication terminal is operative to store thereinutilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing thecontents, and the relay apparatus is operative to store therein deliveryhistory information indicative of a history of delivering the contents.The center apparatus is operative to collect and count the deliveryhistory information after inquiring the delivery history information toeach of the relay apparatuses.

The mobile communication terminal recognizing system thus constructedmakes it possible for the center apparatus to manage all of the deliveryhistory information while enabling the mobile communication terminal toreceive the contents even though the mobile communication terminal movesaway from its service area into another service area of relay apparatus,which the user of the mobile communication terminal may not havesubscribed to.

In addition, the center apparatus can communicate with the user of themobile communication terminal, and obtain the utilization historyinformation of a history of utilizing the contents delivered to themobile communication terminal from the relay apparatus, which the mobilecommunication terminal has logged in, regardless of the relay positionidentification information (for example, local IP) assigned to themobile communication terminal by each of the relay apparatuses becauseof the fact that the center apparatus is operative to inquire about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal, which have loggedinto the relay apparatus, to each of the relay apparatuses by way ofmulticast communication, although the mobile communication terminal maymove away from its service area into another service area of the relayterminal, which the user of the mobile communication terminal may havenot subscribed to.

Further, in the mobile communication terminal recognizing systemaccording to the present invention, the center apparatus may beoperative to compare the collected and counted delivery historyinformation with the utilization history information, and perform anaccounting process on the basis of the result of the comparison when themobile communication terminal transmits to the center apparatus therelay position identification information assigned thereto and theutilization history information stored therein in combination with theuser information.

In accordance with the above construction, the center apparatus isoperative to compare the collected and counted delivery historyinformation with the utilization history information and perform anaccounting process on the basis of the result of the comparison, therebyenabling the center apparatus to accurately charge the user for theutilization of the contents actually delivered by the relay apparatusesand the contents actually utilized by the mobile communication terminal,as well as accurately pay utilization fees to respective relayapparatuses.

Still further, the center apparatus is operative to compare the deliveryhistory information received from the relay apparatuses with theutilization history information received from the mobile communicationterminal, and when the utilization history information is not matchedwith the delivery history information, the center apparatus can inquireabout the delivery history information and the utilization historyinformation to each of the relay apparatuses, thereby making it possiblefor the center apparatus to make an appropriate response in the eventthat the accounting process is not sufficiently performed.

Further the more, in the mobile communication terminal recognizingsystem according to the present invention, the user information may beconstituted by personal information stored in an IC (integrated circuit)card or a magnetic card.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal can log into a relay station in any service area using the userinformation (ID) stored in the IC card or the magnetic card withoutshowing a log-in name, thereby preventing the CATV service fromunauthorized use.

In addition, the center apparatus can collect information on the userswho have logged into the relay apparatuses in respective service areaseven though the mobile communication terminal should be modified orreplaced because of the fact that the user information stored in the ICcard will not change.

Further, in the mobile communication terminal recognizing systemaccording to the present invention, the mobile communication terminalmay be operative to communicate with each of the relay apparatuses usingthe relay position identification information assigned thereto by eachof the relay apparatuses.

In accordance with the above construction, the center apparatus canobtain the relay position identification information assigned by therelay apparatus to the mobile communication terminal when the mobilecommunication terminal first moved into in the service area of the relayapparatus when the center apparatus inquires about the delivery historyinformation to the relay apparatuses or about the utilization historyinformation to the mobile communication terminal by way of multicastcommunication. This leads to the fact that the center apparatus cancommunicate with the mobile communication terminal using the same relayposition identification information from then on, thereby reducingunnecessary packets caused by the multicast communication (becausepackets are delivered to all the terminals in the multicastcommunication).

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda mobile communication terminal mounted on a movable object and capableof establishing a connection with a plurality of relay apparatuses eachoperative to deliver contents concerning a cable television service bywireless as well as communicating with a center apparatus operative tocontrol the relay apparatuses, the mobile communication terminalcomprising: first transmitting means for transmitting requestinformation and user information to a relay apparatus installed in aservice area by wireless; first receiving means for receiving relayposition identification information assigned thereto from the relayapparatus by wireless; second transmitting means for transmittingcontent request information to the relay apparatus by wireless uponreceiving the relay position identification information by the firstreceiving means; second receiving means for receiving the contentsdelivered from the relay apparatus; storage means for storing thereinutilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing thecontents received by the second receiving means, and third transmittingmeans for transmitting to the center apparatus the relay positionidentification information assigned thereto within the service area andthe utilization history information stored therein in combination withthe user information when the center apparatus inquires about the userinformation by way of multicast communication.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal is operative to receive contents delivered from the relayapparatus by wireless even through the movable object moves away fromits service area into another service area of relay apparatus, which theuser of the mobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to,and the mobile communication terminal is operative to store thereinutilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing thecontents, and the relay apparatus is operative to store therein deliveryhistory information indicative of a history of delivering the contents.The center apparatus is operative to collect and count the deliveryhistory information after inquiring the delivery history information toeach of the relay apparatuses.

The mobile communication terminal thus constructed makes it possible forthe center apparatus to manage all of the delivery history informationwhile the mobile communication terminal can receive the contents eventhough the mobile communication terminal moves away from its servicearea into another service area of relay apparatus, which the user of themobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to.

In addition, the center apparatus can communicate with the user of themobile communication terminal, and obtain the utilization historyinformation of a history of utilizing the contents delivered to themobile communication terminal from the relay apparatus, which the mobilecommunication terminal has logged in, regardless of the relay positionidentification information (for example, local IP) assigned to themobile communication terminal by each of the relay apparatuses becauseof the fact that the center apparatus is operative to inquire about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal, which have loggedinto the relay apparatus, to each of the relay apparatuses by way ofmulticast communication, although the mobile communication terminal maymove away from its service area into another service area of the relayterminal, which the user of the mobile communication terminal may havenot subscribed to.

Further, in the mobile communication terminal according to the presentinvention, the user information may be constituted by personalinformation stored in an IC (integrated circuit) card or a magneticcard, and the mobile communication terminal may further comprise readingmeans for reading the user information stored in the IC card.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal can log into a relay station in any service area using the userinformation (ID) stored in the IC card or the magnetic card withoutshowing a log-in name, thereby preventing the CATV service fromunauthorized use.

In addition, the center apparatus can collect information on the userswho have logged into the relay apparatuses in respective service areaseven though the mobile communication terminal should be modified orreplaced because of the fact that the user information stored in the ICcard will not change.

Further, in the mobile communication terminal according to the presentinvention, the mobile communication terminal may be operative tocommunicate with each of the relay apparatuses using the relay positionidentification information assigned thereto by each of the relayapparatuses.

In accordance with the above construction, the center apparatus canobtain the relay position identification information assigned by therelay apparatus to the mobile communication terminal when the mobilecommunication terminal first moved into in the service area of the relayapparatus when the center apparatus inquires about the delivery historyinformation to the relay apparatuses or about the utilization historyinformation to the mobile communication terminal by way of multicastcommunication. This leads to the fact that the center apparatus cancommunicate with the mobile communication terminal using the same relayposition identification information from then on, thereby reducingunnecessary packets caused by the multicast communication (becausepackets are delivered to all the terminals in the multicastcommunication).

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a relay apparatus installed in a service area, for deliveringcontents concerning a cable television service to a mobile communicationterminal under the control of a center apparatus, the relay apparatuscomprising: first receiving means for receiving request information anduser information from the mobile communication terminal by wireless;first transmitting means for transmitting relay position identificationinformation to be assigned to the mobile communication terminal to themobile communication terminal in response to the request information anduser information received by the first receiving means; second receivingmeans for receiving content request information from the mobilecommunication terminal by wireless; delivering means for delivering thecontents to the mobile communication terminal in response to the contentrequest information received by the second receiving means; storagemeans for storing therein delivery history information indicative of ahistory of delivering the contents; second transmitting means fortransmitting the delivery history information stored in the storagemeans to the center apparatus when the center apparatus inquires aboutthe delivery history information by way of multicast communication; andthird transmitting means for transmitting to the center apparatus theuser information of the mobile communication terminal having logged intoin the service area when the center apparatus inquires about the userinformation of the mobile communication terminal having logged into inthe service area, by way of multicast communication.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal is operative to receive contents delivered from the relayapparatus by wireless even through the movable object moves away fromits service area into another service area of relay apparatus, which theuser of the mobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to,and the mobile communication terminal is operative to store thereinutilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing thecontents, and the relay apparatus is operative to store therein deliveryhistory information indicative of a history of delivering the contents.The center apparatus is operative to collect and count the deliveryhistory information after inquiring the delivery history information toeach of the relay apparatuses.

The relay apparatus thus constructed makes it possible for the centerapparatus to manage all of the delivery history information whileenabling the mobile communication terminal to receive the contents eventhough the mobile communication terminal moves away from its servicearea into another service area of relay apparatus, which the user of themobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to.

In addition, the center apparatus can communicate with the user of themobile communication terminal, and obtain the utilization historyinformation of a history of utilizing the contents delivered to themobile communication terminal from the relay apparatus, which the mobilecommunication terminal has logged in, regardless of the relay positionidentification information (for example, local IP) assigned to themobile communication terminal by each of the relay apparatuses becauseof the fact that the center apparatus is operative to inquire about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal, which have loggedinto the relay apparatus, to each of the relay apparatuses by way ofmulticast communication, although the mobile communication terminal maymove away from its service area into another service area of the relayterminal, which the user of the mobile communication terminal may havenot subscribed to.

Further, in the relay apparatus according to the present invention, therelay apparatus may be operative to communication with the mobilecommunication terminal using the relay position identificationinformation assigned to the mobile communication terminal by the relayapparatus in the service area.

In accordance with the above construction, the center apparatus canobtain the relay position identification information assigned by therelay apparatus to the mobile communication terminal when the mobilecommunication terminal first moved into in the service area of the relayapparatus when the center apparatus inquires about the delivery historyinformation to the relay apparatuses or about the utilization historyinformation to the mobile communication terminal by way of multicastcommunication. This leads to the fact that the center apparatus cancommunicate with the mobile communication terminal using the same relayposition identification information from then on, thereby reducingunnecessary packets caused by the multicast communication (becausepackets are delivered to all the terminals in the multicastcommunication).

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a center apparatus for controlling a plurality of relayapparatuses respectively installed in a plurality of service areas, andeach of the relay apparatuses being operative to deliver contentsconcerning a cable television service to a mobile communication terminalmoving within each of the service areas, the center apparatuscomprising: first transmitting means for inquiring to the relayapparatuses about a delivery history information indicative of a historyof delivering the contents by way of multicast communication; firstreceiving means for receiving the deliver history information from therelay apparatuses; collecting and counting means for collecting andcounting the delivery history information received from the relayapparatuses; second transmitting means for inquiring each of the relayapparatuses about user information of the mobile communication terminalhaving logged into in the service area of each of the relay apparatuses;and second receiving means for receiving relay position identificationinformation assigned to the mobile communication terminal within theservice area and utilization history information indicative of a historyof utilizing the contents in combination with the user information fromthe mobile communication terminal.

In accordance with the above construction, the mobile communicationterminal is operative to receive contents delivered from the relayapparatus by wireless even through the movable object moves away fromits service area into another service area of relay apparatus, which theuser of the mobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to,and the mobile communication terminal is operative to store thereinutilization history information indicative of a history of utilizing thecontents, and the relay apparatus is operative to store therein deliveryhistory information indicative of a history of delivering the contents.The center apparatus is operative to collect and count the deliveryhistory information after inquiring the delivery history information toeach of the relay apparatuses.

The mobile communication terminal recognizing system thus constructedmakes it possible for the center apparatus to manage all of the deliveryhistory information while enabling the mobile communication terminal toreceive the contents even though the mobile communication terminal movesaway from its service area into another service area of relay apparatus,which the user of the mobile communication terminal may not havesubscribed to.

In addition, the center apparatus can communicate with the user of themobile communication terminal, and obtain the utilization historyinformation of a history of utilizing the contents delivered to themobile communication terminal from the relay apparatus, which the mobilecommunication terminal has logged in, regardless of the relay positionidentification information (for example, local IP) assigned to themobile communication terminal by each of the relay apparatuses becauseof the fact that the center apparatus is operative to inquire about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal, which have loggedinto the relay apparatus, to each of the relay apparatuses by way ofmulticast communication, although the mobile communication terminal maymove away from its service area into another service area of the relayterminal, which the user of the mobile communication terminal may havenot subscribed to.

Further, in the center apparatus according to the present invention,further comprising accounting means for comparing the collected andcounted delivery history information with the utilization historyinformation, and perform an accounting process on the basis of theresult of the comparison when the mobile communication terminaltransmits to the center apparatus the relay position identificationinformation assigned thereto and the utilization history information incombination with the user information.

In accordance with the above construction, the center apparatus isoperative to compare the collected and counted delivery historyinformation with the utilization history information and perform anaccounting process on the basis of the result of the comparison, therebyenabling the center apparatus to accurately charge the user for theutilization of the contents actually delivered by the relay apparatusesand the contents actually utilized by the mobile communication terminal,as well as accurately pay utilization fees to respective relayapparatuses.

In addition, the center apparatus is operative to compare the deliveryhistory information received from the relay apparatuses with theutilization history information received from the mobile communicationterminal, and when the utilization history information is not matchedwith the delivery history information, the center apparatus can inquireabout the delivery history information and the utilization historyinformation to each of the relay apparatuses, thereby making it possiblefor the center apparatus to make an appropriate response in the eventthat the accounting process is not sufficiently performed.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a mobile communication terminal recognizing method ofrecognizing a mobile communication terminal moving within a service areain a system comprising a plurality of relay apparatuses respectivelyinstalled in a plurality of service areas, each of the relay apparatusesbeing operative to deliver contents concerning a cable televisionservice to the mobile communication terminal moving within each of theservice areas, a center apparatus for controlling the relay apparatusesto establish a connection with the mobile communication terminal and therelay apparatuses to ensure that the mobile communication terminal isrecognized, the method comprising the steps of; (a) transmitting requestinformation and user information to the relay apparatus installed in theservice area by wireless; (b) transmitting relay position identificationinformation assigned to the mobile communication terminal in response tothe request information and user information, by the relay apparatus;(c) transmitting content request information to the relay apparatusdetermined in accordance with the relay position identificationinformation by wireless upon receiving the relay position identificationinformation, by the mobile communication terminal; (d) delivering thecontents to the mobile communication terminal and store therein deliveryhistory information indicative of a history of delivering the contents,by the relay apparatus in response to the content request information,by the relay apparatus; (e) storing therein utilization historyinformation indicative of a history of utilizing the contents, by themobile communication terminal; (f) inquiring to the relay apparatusesabout the delivery history information by wireless, by the centerapparatus; (g) transmitting the delivery history information to thecenter apparatus if stored therein, by the relay apparatuses; (h)collecting and counting the delivery history information and inquiringto each of the relay apparatuses about the user information of themobile communication terminal having logged into in the service area ofeach of the relay apparatuses, by the center apparatus; and (i)transmitting from the mobile communication terminal to the centerapparatus the relay position identification information assigned theretowithin the service area and the utilization history information storedtherein in combination with the user information when inquired about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal having logged intoin the service area.

In accordance with the above method, the mobile communication terminalis operative to receive contents delivered from the relay apparatus bywireless even through the movable object moves away from its servicearea into another service area of relay apparatus, which the user of themobile communication terminal may not have subscribed to, and the mobilecommunication terminal is operative to store therein utilization historyinformation indicative of a history of utilizing the contents, and therelay apparatus is operative to store therein delivery historyinformation indicative of a history of delivering the contents. Thecenter apparatus is operative to collect and count the delivery historyinformation after inquiring the delivery history information to each ofthe relay apparatuses.

The mobile communication terminal recognizing system thus constructedmakes it possible for the center apparatus to manage all of the deliveryhistory information while enabling the mobile communication terminal toreceive the contents even though the mobile communication terminal movesaway from its service area into another service area of relay apparatus,which the user of the mobile communication terminal may not havesubscribed to.

In addition, the center apparatus can communicate with the user of themobile communication terminal, and obtain the utilization historyinformation of a history of utilizing the contents delivered to themobile communication terminal from the relay apparatus, which the mobilecommunication terminal has logged in, regardless of the relay positionidentification information (for example, local IP) assigned to themobile communication terminal by each of the relay apparatuses becauseof the fact that the center apparatus is operative to inquire about theuser information of the mobile communication terminal, which have loggedinto the relay apparatus, to each of the relay apparatuses by way ofmulticast communication, although the mobile communication terminal maymove away from its service area into another service area of the relayterminal, which the user of the mobile communication terminal may havenot subscribed to.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantage of a mobile communication terminalrecognizing system and a mobile communication terminal recognizingmethod using the system according to the present invention will becomeapparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing preferred embodiments of a mobilecommunication terminal recognizing system, a mobile communicationterminal, a relay apparatus, a center apparatus, and a mobilecommunication terminal recognizing method according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing preferred embodiments of a mobilecommunication terminal, a relay apparatus, and a center apparatusforming part of the mobile communication terminal recognizing system,the mobile communication terminal, the relay apparatus, the centerapparatus, and the mobile communication terminal recognizing methodaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a mobile communication terminal recognizingprocedure of the preferred embodiment of the mobile communicationterminal recognizing system, the mobile communication terminal, therelay apparatus, the center apparatus, and the mobile communicationterminal recognizing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing flows of information requests and responsemessages of the preferred embodiment of the mobile communicationterminal recognizing system, the mobile communication terminal, therelay apparatus, the center apparatus, and the mobile communicationterminal recognizing method according to the present invention.

BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE PRESENT INVENTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 through 4 are diagrams showing preferred embodiments of a mobilecommunication terminal recognizing system, a mobile communicationterminal, a relay apparatus, a center apparatus, and a mobilecommunication terminal recognizing method according to the presentinvention.

The construction will be described first. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2,there is shown a mobile communication terminal recognizing systembearing a reference numeral 1. The mobile communication terminalrecognizing system 1 comprises a subscriber station (center apparatus)2, CATV stations 3 and 4 for delivering contents concerning a cabletelevision service under the control of the subscriber station 2, a CATVmobile terminal (mobile communication terminal) 6 mounted on a vehicle(movable object) 5 and receiving the contents from the CATV stations 3and 4.

In FIG. 1, there are shown only two CATV stations, namely CATV stations3 and 4 for the purpose of simplifying the description and assisting inunderstanding about the whole operation. In reality, the mobilecommunication terminal recognizing system 1 comprises more than two CATVstations.

The CATV stations 3 and 4 are shown in FIG. 2 as respectively comprisingCS (communication satellite) tuners 24 and 34 for receiving image data,MPEG encoders 23 and 33 for compressing the image data, 64 QAMmodulators (QAM MOD) 22 and 32 for modulating the image data compressedby the MPEG encoders 23 and 33 into data of predetermined formats to bedelivered through CATV lines. The CS tuners 24 and 34, the MPEG encoders23 and 33, and the 64 QAM modulators 22 and 32 respectively constituteCATV image transmitting devices 45 and 46.

Here, the CS tuners 24 and 34 may transfer to the MPEG encoders 23 and33 the image data stored in a video tape, optical disc, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the CATV stations 3 and 4 further comprises aplurality of radio transmitting and receiving devices 3 a and 4 ainstalled in respective service areas as communication lines, therebymaking it possible for the CATV stations 3 and 4 to deliver the contents(music, a movie, news, a weather forecast, a variety program, and thelike) within their respective service areas. Preferably, as the radiotransmitting and receiving device should be used a millimeter wave-bandradio on fiber (ROF) signal transmission system.

The CATV mobile terminal 6 comprises a mobile station transmitting andreceiving device 10, a digital set top box (D-STB) 11, an IC card reader(reading and writing means) 12, a cable modem 13, a CPU 14, a display15, and a memory 16.

The mobile station transmitting and receiving device 10 is designed totransmit and receive a signal with each of the radio transmitting andreceiving devices 3 a and 4 a when entered into the service area of eachof the CATV stations 3 and 4 to ensure that the CATV mobile terminal 6communicates with each of the CATV stations 3 and 4 by wireless. TheD-STB 11 is designed to process the signals received and transmittedwith each of the radio transmitting and receiving devices 3 a and 4 a toperform bidirectional communications.

The IC card reader 12 is designed to have an IC card inserted thereinto,and read out, as user information, an ID, an accounting record, a bankaccount number, an address, and the like from the IC card. The userinformation is transmitted by the D-STB 11 to the radio transmitting andreceiving device 3 a or 4 a through the mobile station transmitting andreceiving device 10.

The cable modem 13 is adapted to demodulate the contents data containedin the signal received by the mobile station transmitting and receivingdevice 10. The contents thus demodulated are reproduced by the display15.

The CPU 14 constituted by, for example, a notebook computer, is adaptedto control the whole operation of the CATV mobile terminal 6 as well asto provide various IP services. The CPU 14 is operative to control, forexample, the IC card reader 12 to have the IC card reader 12 read outfrom the IC card the user information to be outputted therethrough.

The D-STB 11 is operative to extract a digital signal element of apredetermined channel from the received digital signal, convert thedigital signal element thus extracted into an information signal such asfor example an image signal, judge whether or not the information signalcan be delivered, and generate accounting information on the basis ofthe user information read out from the IC card.

In addition, the CPU 14 is operative to control the mobile stationtransmitting and receiving device 10 and the D-STB 11 to have the mobilestation transmitting and receiving device 10 transmit requestinformation and the user information read out by the IC card reader 12to the CATV station 3 or the CATV station 4 through the D-STB 11 whenthe CATV mobile terminal 6 is moved into the service area of the CATVstation 3 or the CATV station 4. The CPU 14, the mobile stationtransmitting and receiving device 10, and the D-STB 11 collectivelyconstitute first transmitting means.

Further, the CPU 14 is operative to control the memory 16 to have thememory 16 store therein CATV station identification information (a localIP as a relay position identification information assigned by the CATVstation 3 or the CATV station 4) received from the CATV station 3 or theCATV station 4 by the mobile station transmitting and receiving device10 through the D-STB 11. The CPU 14, the mobile station transmitting andreceiving device 10, and the D-STB 11 collectively constitute firstreceiving means.

Still further, the CPU 14 is operative to control the mobile stationtransmitting and receiving device 10 and the D-STB 11 to have the mobilestation transmitting and receiving device 10 transmit to the CATVstation 3 or the CATV station 4, which has assigned the local ID to theCATV mobile terminal 6, content request information, i.e., a requestsignal for the contents of, for example, the music, the movie, the news,or the like, through the D-STB 11 after the local IP is received by themobile station transmitting and receiving device 10. The CPU 14, themobile station transmitting and receiving device 10, and the D-STB 11collectively constitute second transmitting means.

Further the more, the CPU 14 is operative to control the display 15 tohave the display 15 output the content when the contents delivered fromthe CATV station 3 or the CATV station 4 is inputted to the D-STB 11through the mobile station transmitting and receiving device 10. The CPU14, the mobile station transmitting and receiving device 10, and theD-STB 11 collectively constitute second receiving means. The memory 16is adapted to store therein utilization history information indicativeof a history of utilizing the contents received from the CATV station 3or the CATV station 4. The memory 16 constitutes storage means.

Further the more, the CPU 14 is operative to control the mobile stationtransmitting and receiving device 10 to have the mobile stationtransmitting and receiving device 10 transmit to the subscriber station2 the local IP assigned to the CATV mobile terminal 6 within the servicearea and the utilization history information stored in the memory 16 incombination with the user information and information on the CATVstation, from which the contents are currently received, when thesubscriber station 2 inquires about the user information by way ofmulticast communication through the CATV station 3 and CATV station 4.The CPU 14 and the mobile station transmitting and receiving device 10collectively constitute third transmitting means.

The CATV stations 3 and 4 respectively comprises radio frequency (RF)multiplexing devices 21 and 31, 64 QAM modulators (QAM MOD) 22 and 32,MPEG encoders 23 and 33, CS tuners 24 and 34 (CATV image transmittingdevices 45 and 46), Web servers 25 and 35, animation servers 26 and 36,operation terminals 27 and 37, subscriber authentication servers 28 and38, cable modem centers 29 and 39, and proxy DHCP (Dynamic HostConfiguration Protocol) servers 30 and 40.

The radio frequency (RF) multiplexing devices 21 and 31 are adapted toestablish radio communications with the CATV mobile terminal 6respectively through the radio transmitting and receiving devices 3 aand 4 a. The MPEG encoders 23 and 33 are adapted to convert the imagedata respectively inputted from the CS tuners 24 and 34 into MPEG imagedata. The 64 QAM modulators (QAM MOD) 22 and 32 are adapted to modulatethe MPEG image data with respect to the amplitude and phase. The MPEGencoders 23 and 33 are capable of receiving signal data from BS(Broadcasting Satellite) through the CS tuners 24 and 34.

The Web servers 25 and 35 are capable of connecting with an internet andadapted to deliver and obtain various contents through the internet. Theanimation servers 26 and 36 are adapted to deliver the contents ofanimation data such as for example a movie, music, a weather forecast,and news. The operation terminals 27 and 37 are adapted to permit a userto operate various functions of the CATV stations 3 and 4.

The subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are adapted to storetherein various information on users who have subscribed to the CATVstations 3 and 4. The information on the users includes IDs. Thesubscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operative to judgewhether or not the user is authentic by comparing the ID stored thereinwith the user information (ID) received from the CATV mobile terminal 6.The subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operative to provideto the user a service such as for example a service of deliveringcontents when it is judged that the user is authentic as a result of thecomparison. The subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38, on theother hand, are operative to inquire about the user to the other CATVstations when it is judged that the user is not authentic. Thesubscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operative to assign alocal ID to the user and provide the service to the user when the useris judged to be authentic as a result of the inquiry.

Each of the proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 is operative to dynamicallyassign an IP to a user terminal when the user terminal is activated.Each of the proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40, on the other hand, isoperative to invalidate the IP when the user terminal is terminated. Inaddition, each of the proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 is operative toassign a local IP to the CATV mobile terminal 6 in response to therequest information for the local IP from the CATV mobile terminal 6.

The cable modem centers 29 and 39 are adapted to perform datacommunication such as an internet access with the CATV mobile terminal6, user's fixed terminal device, the CATV stations, and the like throughthe CATV line, and deliver the contents to the CATV mobile terminal 6and the user's fixed terminal device by way of IP communication at highspeed. The user's terminals are required to be different from facilitiesof the CATV stations in network segments so as to enhance the security.The cable modem centers 29 and 39 serve to make secure the connectionbetween the user's terminal and the CATV stations.

In the present embodiment, the radio transmitting and receiving deviceconstitutes first receiving means for receiving the local IP requestinformation and user information from the CATV mobile terminal 6 bywireless.

Each of the proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 is operative to assign a localIP to the CATV mobile terminal 6 when each of the radio transmitting andreceiving devices 3 a and 4 a receives the local IP request informationand the user information from the CATV mobile terminal 6, and each ofthe radio transmitting and receiving devices 3 a and 4 a is operative totransmit the local IP to the CATV mobile terminal 6. The radiotransmitting and receiving device and the proxy DHCP server constitutefirst transmitting means.

Each of the radio transmitting and receiving devices 3 a and 4 aconstitutes second receiving means for receiving content requestinformation from the CATV mobile terminal 6 by wireless.

The animation servers 26 and 36 and the Web servers 25 and 35 areoperative to deliver the contents to the CATV mobile terminal 6 inresponse to the content request information. The radio transmitting andreceiving device, the animation server, and the Web server constitutedelivering means.

The animation servers 26 and 36 and the Web servers 25 and 35 aredesigned to store therein delivery history information indicative of ahistory of delivering the contents. The animation server and the Webserver constitute storage means.

The proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 are connected with the subscriberstation 2 through the internet, the leased line or the dedicated line.The proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 are operative to transmit the deliveryhistory information stored in the animation servers 26 and 36 and theWeb servers 25 and 35 to the subscriber station 2 when the subscriberstation 2 inquires about the delivery history information by way ofmulticast communication. The proxy DHCP server constitutes secondtransmitting means.

The subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operative to judgewhether or not the user is authentic by comparing the user informationstored therein with the user information received from the CATV mobileterminal 6. When it is judged that the user is not authentic, thesubscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operative to inquireabout the user to the subscriber station 2 by way of IP communication.Each of the subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 is operative topermit the CATV mobile terminal 6 to receive the CATV service when theuser is judged by the subscriber station 2 to be authentic as a resultof the inquiry. When the subscriber station 2 inquires about the userinformation of the CATV mobile terminal 6 having logged into in theservice area of each of the CATV stations 3 and 4, by way of multicastcommunication, each of the subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38and each of the proxy DHCP servers 30 and 40 may be operative totransmit to the subscriber station 2 the user information of the CATVmobile terminal 6 having logged into in the service area. The subscriberauthentication server and the proxy DHCP server constitute thirdtransmitting means.

Further, the subscriber authentication servers 28 and 38 are operativeto communicate with the CATV mobile terminal 6 using the local IPassigned by the CATV stations 3 and 4 installed in their respectiveservice areas at the first communication.

The subscriber station 2 comprises a transmitting and receiving device41, an authentication server 42, a collecting and counting server 43,and accounting means 44.

The transmitting and receiving device 41 is connected with the CATVstations 3 and 4 through the internet, the leased line, or the dedicatedline, and adapted to inquire about the delivery history informationindicative of a history of delivering the contents to the CATV mobileterminal 6 through the CATV stations 3 and 4 by means of IPcommunication. The transmitting and receiving device 41 is adapted toreceive the delivery history information from the CATV stations 3 and 4.In the present embodiment, the transmitting and receiving device 41constitutes first transmitting means and first receiving means.

The collecting and counting server 43 is adapted to collect and countthe delivery history information received from the CATV stations 3 and 4through the transmitting and receiving device 41, and the utilizationhistory information received from the CATV stations 3 and 4 through thetransmitting and receiving device 41. The collecting and counting server43 constitute collecting and counting means.

The authentication server 42 is adapted to store therein variousinformation on users who have subscribed to the CATV stations 3 and 4.The information on the users includes IDs. The authentication server 42is operative to judge whether or not the user is authentic by comparingthe ID stored therein with the user information (ID) received from theCATV mobile terminal 6.

The authentication server 42 is adapted to inquire to the CATV stations3 and 4 about the user information of the CATV mobile terminal 6 havinglogged into in their respective service areas of the CATV stations 3 and4, by way of multicast communication. The transmitting and receivingdevice 41 and the authentication server 42 constitute secondtransmitting means.

The authentication server 42 is operative to receive local IP currentlyassigned to the CATV mobile terminal 6 within the service area incombination with the user information and information on the CATVstation, from which the contents are currently received, from the CATVmobile terminal 6, and the collecting and counting server 43 isoperative to receive the utilization history information from the CATVmobile terminal 6 when the transmitting and receiving device 41 receivesa response to the inquiry from the CATV mobile terminal 6. Thetransmitting and receiving device 41, the authentication server 42 andthe collecting and counting server 43 collectively constitute secondreceiving means.

The accounting means 44 is adapted to compare the delivery historyinformation collected and counted by the collecting and counting server43 with the utilization history information of the CATV mobile terminal6, and perform an accounting process for the delivery historyinformation and the utilization history information on the basis of theresult of the comparison. The accounting means 44 constitutes accountingmeans. The accounting process is performed for the delivery historyinformation of each of the subscriber station and the CATV stations.Firstly, the subscriber station charges the user for the utilization ofthe contents on the basis of the delivery history information of all ofthe CATV stations. Then, the subscriber station pays utilization fees torespective CATV stations.

The procedure of the mobile communication terminal recognizing methodwill be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

As shown in FIG. 3, a vehicle 5 having a CATV mobile terminal 6 mountedthereon moves into a service area of a CATV station 3 (hereinlaterreferred to as “CATV-A”). The CATV mobile terminal 6 is operated totransmit request information for a local IP in combination with userinformation read out by the IC card reader 12 from an IC card to theCATV-A.

The CATV-A is operated to judge whether or not the user is authentic bycomparing the user identification information stored in the subscriberauthentication server 28 with the user information received from theCATV mobile terminal 6. The CATV-A is operated to judge that the user isnot authentic, i.e., the user has not subscribed to the CATV-A when theuser information stored in the subscriber authentication server 28 isnot matched with the user information received from the CATV mobileterminal 6, and the CATV-A is operated to inquire to the subscriberstation 2 about the user. The subscriber station 2 is operated to judgewhether or not the user is authentic by comparing the user informationstored therein with the user information of the CATV mobile terminal 6.When the user information stored in the subscriber station 2 is matchedwith the user information of the CATV mobile terminal 6, the user isjudged to be authentic and the CATV-A is operated to assign a local IP(e.g., 192.167.1.100) to the CATV mobile terminal 6, and start providingthe CATV service to the user.

The CATV mobile terminal 6 is then operated to transmit content requestinformation for paid contents of, for example, a movie to the CATV-A.The CATV-A is operated to deliver the contents of the movie to the CATVmobile terminal 6, and store delivery history information indicative ofa history of delivered contents into the animation server 26, whichserves as a database (DB).

When the vehicle 5 having the CATV mobile terminal 6 mounted thereonfurther moves into a service area of a CATV station 4 (hereinlaterreferred to as “CATV-B”), the CATV mobile terminal 6 is operated totransmit request information for a local IP in combination with userinformation read out by the IC card reader 12 from an IC card to theCATV-B.

The CATV-B is operated to judge whether or not the user is authentic bycomparing the user identification information stored in the subscriberauthentication server 38 with the user information received from theCATV mobile terminal 6. The CATV-B is operated to judge that the user isnot authentic, i.e., the user has not subscribed to the CATV-B when theuser information stored in the subscriber authentication server 28 isnot matched with the user information received from the CATV mobileterminal 6, and the CATV-B is operated to assign a local IP (e.g.,192.168.2.100) to the CATV mobile terminal 6.

The CATV mobile terminal 6 is then operated to transmit content requestinformation for paid contents of, for example, news to the CATV-B. TheCATV-B is operated to deliver the contents of the news to the CATVmobile terminal 6, and store delivery history information indicative ofa history of delivered contents into the animation server 36, whichserves as a database (DB).

In order to adjust an account, the subscriber station 2 is operated toinquire about the delivery history information to the CATV-A, theCATV-B, and other CATV stations installed in respective service areasthrough the transmitting and receiving device 41 by way of IPcommunication.

The CATV-A, the CATV-B, and other CATV stations are operated torespectively transmit the delivery history information to the subscriberstation 2 if the delivery history information is stored in the animationservers 26 and 36, and the like. The CATV-A, the CATV-B, and other CATVstations, on the other hand, are not operated to respond to thesubscriber station 2 if no delivery history information is storedtherein.

In the subscriber station 2, the collecting and counting server 43 isoperated to collect and count the delivery history information. Thetransmitting and receiving device 41 is then operated to transmit aresponse request to the CATV mobile terminal 6 through the CATV-A, theCATV-B, and other CATV stations by way of multicast communication. Theresponse request has a log-in user as key information, and includes amessage that “Sir, (‘user A’ in the present case), please send us yourutilization history information” as shown in FIG. 4. When the CATVmobile terminal 6 has logged into in the service area of one of the CATVstations, the CATV mobile terminal 6 is operated to transmit to thesubscriber station 2 a response signal. The response signal includes aresponse message that “This is XX (‘user A’ in this case). I send you afile (utilization history information)” as shown in FIG. 4. The CATVmobile terminal 6 is operated to transmit the local ID currentlyassigned thereto within the service area, the utilization historyinformation, and identification information of the CATV station whichthe CATV mobile terminal 6 has logged in to, if required, in combinationwith the user information (ID) stored in the IC card to the subscriberstation 2.

In the subscriber station 2, the utilization history information is thencollected and counted by the collecting and counting server 43, andcompared with the delivery history information. When the utilizationhistory information is matched with the delivery history information,the accounting process is performed for the utilized contents deliveredthrough the CATV-A station, the CATV-B station, and the other CATVstations in order to adjust accounts of the CATV-A station, the CATV-Bstation, and the other CATV stations.

When, on the other hand, the utilization history information is notmatched with the delivery history information, the subscriber station 2is operated to transmit an inquiry message to the CATV mobile terminal6. When the utilization history information is verified by aconfirmation message transmitted by the CATV mobile terminal 6 inresponse to the inquiry message, the accounting process is performed forthe utilized contents delivered through the CATV-A station, the CATV-Bstation, and the other CATV stations. When, on the other hand, theutilization history information is not verified by the confirmationmessage, the subscriber station 2 is further operated to examine theunmatched utilization history information separately with the concernedCATV station.

When the adjustment process is completed, the subscriber station 2 isoperated to transmit an adjustment completion message to the CATV mobileterminal 6 using the local IP address assigned thereto by the CATVstation when the CATV mobile terminal 6 moved into the service area ofthe CATV station. From then on, the CATV mobile terminal 6 is operatedto communicate with the subscriber station 2 using the local IP addressthrough the CATV station.

As will be seen from the foregoing description, it is to be understoodthat the present embodiment of the CATV mobile terminal 6 is operativeto receive contents delivered from the CATV station 3 or 4 by wirelesseven through the vehicle 5 moves away from its service area into anotherservice area of CATV station 3 or 4, which the user of the CATV mobileterminal 6 may not have subscribed to, and the CATV mobile terminal 6 isoperative to store therein utilization history information indicative ofa history of utilizing the contents, and the CATV station 3 or 4 isoperative to store therein delivery history information indicative of ahistory of delivering the contents. The subscriber station 2 is alsooperative to collect and count the delivery history information afterinquiring the delivery history information to each of the CATV stations3 and 4. The mobile communication terminal recognizing system 1 thusconstructed makes it possible for the subscriber station 2 to manage allof the delivery history information while enabling the CATV mobileterminal 6 to receive the contents even though the CATV mobile terminal6 moves away from its service area into another service area of CATVstation 3 or 4, which the user of the CATV mobile terminal 6 may nothave subscribed to.

In addition, the subscriber station 2 can communicate with the user ofthe particular CATV mobile terminal 6, and obtain the utilizationhistory information of a history of utilizing the contents delivered tothe CATV mobile terminal 6 from the CATV station 3 or 4, which the CATVmobile terminal 6 has logged in, regardless of the local IP assigned tothe CATV mobile terminal 6 by the CATV station 3 or 4 because of thefact that the subscriber station 2 is operative to inquire about theuser information (ID) of the CATV mobile terminal 6, which have loggedinto the CATV station 3 or 4, to the CATV stations 3 and 4 by way ofmulticast communication, although the CATV mobile terminal may move awayfrom its service area into another service area of the CATV station 3 or4, which the user of the CATV mobile terminal 6 may not have subscribedto.

Further, the subscriber station 2 is operative to compare the collectedand counted delivery history information with the utilization historyinformation and perform an accounting process on the basis of the resultof the comparison when the CATV mobile terminal 6 transmits the local IPassigned thereto by the CATV station 3 or 4, the utilization historyinformation, and the user information to the subscriber station 2,thereby enabling the subscriber station 2 to accurately charge the userfor the utilization of the contents actually delivered by the CATVstations 3 and 4 and the contents actually utilized by the CATV mobileterminal 6, as well as accurately pay utilization fees to respectiveCATV stations 3 and 4.

Still further, the subscriber station 2 is operative to compare thedelivery history information received from the CATV stations 3 and 4with the utilization history information received from the CATV mobileterminal 6. When the utilization history information is not matched withthe delivery history information, the subscriber station 2 can inquireabout the delivery history information and the utilization historyinformation to each of the CATV stations 3 and 4, thereby making itpossible for the subscriber station 2 to make an appropriate response inthe event that the accounting process is not sufficiently performed.

In the present embodiment, as the user information is used personalinformation stored in an IC card. This means that the CATV mobileterminal 6 can log into a CATV station in any service area using theuser information (ID) stored in the IC card without showing a log-name,thereby preventing the CATV service from unauthorized use. The userinformation may be stored in a magnetic card.

In addition, the subscriber station 2 can still collect information onthe users who have logged into the CATV stations in respective serviceareas even though the CATV mobile terminal 6 should be modified orreplaced because of the fact that the user information stored in the ICcard will not change. When the user of the CATV mobile terminal 6 ischanged, the user information stored in the CATV mobile terminal 6 untilthen will be transferred to the subscriber station 2.

In the present embodiment, the CATV mobile terminal 6 is operative tocommunicate with the CATV station 3 or 4 using the local IP assigned bythe CATV station 3 or 4. The subscriber station 2 can obtain the localIP assigned by the CATV station 3 or 4 to the CATV mobile terminal 6when the CATV mobile terminal 6 first moved into the service area of theCATV station 3 or 4 when the subscriber station 2 inquires about thedelivery history information to the CATV station 3 or 4 or about theutilization history information to the CATV mobile terminal 6 by way ofmulticast communication. This leads to the fact that the subscriberstation 2 can communicate with the CATV mobile terminal 6 using the samelocal IP from then on, thereby reducing unnecessary packets caused bythe multicast communication. It is needless to mention that the CATVmobile terminal 6 may return to the subscriber station and other CATVstations any data other than the utilization history information.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can provide a mobile communication terminalrecognizing system, a mobile communication terminal, a relay apparatus,a center apparatus, and a mobile communication terminal recognizingmethod thereof, which enable a user to receive contents related to thecable television service regardless of whether or not the user movesinto a service area other than the service area of the CATV station towhich the user has subscribed, as well as are capable of easilyidentifying the service area where the user is located and accordinglycommunicating with the user.

The response information is not limited to the utilization historyinformation. The response message may further include positioninformation, vehicle information, subscriber station information, amessage, terminal information, information on a station which the useris connected with, and the like. Furthermore, the CATV station, fromwhich the user is currently receiving the CATV service, can beidentified on the basis of the relay position identification informationcontained in the response message.

1. A mobile communication terminal recognizing system, comprising: amobile communication terminal mounted on a movable object and capable ofestablishing a connection with a cable television service line bywireless; a plurality of relay apparatuses respectively installed in aplurality of service areas, and each of said relay apparatuses beingoperative to deliver contents concerning a cable television service tosaid mobile communication terminal moving within each of said serviceareas; and a center apparatus for establishing a connection with saidmobile communication terminal and said relay apparatuses to ensure thatsaid mobile communication terminal moving within said service areareceives said contents from one of said relay apparatuses, and in whichsaid mobile communication terminal moving within a service area isoperative to transmit request information and user information to saidrelay apparatus installed in said service area by wireless, said relayapparatus installed in said service area is operative to assign relayposition identification information to said mobile communicationterminal in response to said request information and user information,said mobile communication terminal is operative to transmit contentrequest information to said relay apparatus determined in accordancewith said relay position identification information by wireless uponreceiving said relay position identification information, said relayapparatus is operative to deliver said contents to said mobilecommunication terminal and store therein delivery history informationindicative of a history of delivering said contents in response to saidcontent request information, said mobile communication terminal isoperative to store therein utilization history information indicative ofa history of utilizing said contents, said center apparatus is operativeto inquire to said relay apparatuses about said delivery historyinformation by wireless, said relay apparatuses are operative totransmit said delivery history information to said center apparatus ifstored therein, said center apparatus is operative to collect and countsaid delivery history information received from said relay apparatusesand inquire to each of said relay apparatuses about said userinformation of said mobile communication terminal having logged into insaid service area of each of said relay apparatuses, and said mobilecommunication terminal is operative to transmit to said center apparatussaid relay position identification information assigned thereto withinsaid service area and said utilization history information storedtherein in combination with said user information when said centerapparatus inquires about said user information of said mobilecommunication terminal having logged into in said service area.
 2. Amobile communication terminal recognizing system as set forth in claim1, in which said center apparatus is operative to compare said collectedand counted delivery history information with said utilization historyinformation, and perform an accounting process on the basis of theresult of the comparison when said mobile communication terminaltransmits to said center apparatus said relay position identificationinformation assigned thereto and said utilization history informationstored therein in combination with said user information.
 3. A mobilecommunication terminal recognizing system as set forth in claim 1 orclaim 2, in which said user information is constituted by personalinformation stored in an IC (integrated circuit) card or a magneticcard.
 4. A mobile communication terminal recognizing system as set forthin any of claims 1 through 3, in which said mobile communicationterminal is operative to communicate with each of said relay apparatusesusing said relay position identification information assigned thereto byeach of said relay apparatuses.
 5. A mobile communication terminalmounted on a movable object and capable of establishing a connectionwith a plurality of relay apparatuses each operative to deliver contentsconcerning a cable television service by wireless as well ascommunicating with a center apparatus operative to control said relayapparatuses, said mobile communication terminal comprising: firsttransmitting means for transmitting request information and userinformation to a relay apparatus installed in a service area bywireless; first receiving means for receiving relay positionidentification information assigned thereto from said relay apparatus bywireless; second transmitting means for transmitting content requestinformation to said relay apparatus by wireless upon receiving saidrelay position identification information by said first receiving means;second receiving means for receiving said contents delivered from saidrelay apparatus; storage means for storing therein utilization historyinformation indicative of a history of utilizing said contents receivedby said second receiving means, and third transmitting means fortransmitting to said center apparatus said relay position identificationinformation assigned thereto within said service area and saidutilization history information stored therein in combination with saiduser information when said center apparatus inquires about said userinformation by way of multicast communication.
 6. A mobile communicationterminal as set forth in claim 5, in which said user information isconstituted by personal information stored in an IC (integrated circuit)card or a magnetic card, and which further comprises: reading means forreading said user information stored in said IC card.
 7. A mobilecommunication terminal as set forth in claim 6, in which said mobilecommunication terminal is operative to communicate with each of saidrelay apparatuses using said relay position identification informationassigned thereto by each of said relay apparatuses.
 8. A relay apparatusinstalled in a service area, for delivering contents concerning a cabletelevision service to a mobile communication terminal under the controlof a center apparatus, said relay apparatus comprising: first receivingmeans for receiving request information and user information from saidmobile communication terminal by wireless; first transmitting means fortransmitting relay position identification information to be assigned tosaid mobile communication terminal to said mobile communication terminalin response to said request information and user information received bysaid first receiving means; second receiving means for receiving contentrequest information from said mobile communication terminal by wireless;delivering means for delivering said contents to said mobilecommunication terminal in response to said content request informationreceived by said second receiving means; storage means for storingtherein delivery history information indicative of a history ofdelivering said contents; second transmitting means for transmittingsaid delivery history information stored in said storage means to saidcenter apparatus when said center apparatus inquires about said deliveryhistory information by way of multicast communication; and thirdtransmitting means for transmitting to said center apparatus said userinformation of said mobile communication terminal having logged into insaid service area when said center apparatus inquires about said userinformation of said mobile communication terminal having logged into insaid service area, by way of multicast communication.
 9. A relayapparatus as set forth in claim 8, in which said relay apparatus isoperative to communication with said mobile communication terminal usingsaid relay position identification information assigned to said mobilecommunication terminal by said relay apparatus in said service area. 10.A center apparatus for controlling a plurality of relay apparatusesrespectively installed in a plurality of service areas, and each of saidrelay apparatuses being operative to deliver contents concerning a cabletelevision service to a mobile communication terminal moving within eachof said service areas, said center apparatus comprising: firsttransmitting means for inquiring to said relay apparatuses about adelivery history information indicative of a history of delivering saidcontents by way of multicast communication; first receiving means forreceiving said deliver history information from said relay apparatuses;collecting and counting means for collecting and counting said deliveryhistory information received from said relay apparatuses; secondtransmitting means for inquiring each of said relay apparatuses aboutuser information of said mobile communication terminal having loggedinto in said service area of each of said relay apparatuses; and secondreceiving means for receiving relay position identification informationassigned to said mobile communication terminal within said service areaand utilization history information indicative of a history of utilizingsaid contents in combination with said user information from said mobilecommunication terminal.
 11. A center apparatus as set forth in claim 10,further comprising accounting means for comparing said collected andcounted delivery history information with said utilization historyinformation, and perform an accounting process on the basis of theresult of the comparison when said mobile communication terminaltransmits to said center apparatus said relay position identificationinformation assigned thereto and said utilization history information incombination with said user information.
 12. A mobile communicationterminal recognizing method of recognizing a mobile communicationterminal moving within a service area in a system comprising a pluralityof relay apparatuses respectively installed in a plurality of serviceareas, each of said relay apparatuses being operative to delivercontents concerning a cable television service to said mobilecommunication terminal moving within each of said service areas, acenter apparatus for controlling said relay apparatuses to establish aconnection with said mobile communication terminal and said relayapparatuses to ensure that said mobile communication terminal isrecognized, said method comprising the steps of; (a) transmittingrequest information and user information to said relay apparatusinstalled in said service area by wireless; (b) transmitting relayposition identification information assigned to said mobilecommunication terminal in response to said request information and userinformation, by said relay apparatus; (c) transmitting content requestinformation to said relay apparatus determined in accordance with saidrelay position identification information by wireless upon receivingsaid relay position identification information, by said mobilecommunication terminal; (d) delivering said contents to said mobilecommunication terminal and store therein delivery history informationindicative of a history of delivering said contents, by said relayapparatus in response to said content request information, by said relayapparatus; (e) storing therein utilization history informationindicative of a history of utilizing said contents, by said mobilecommunication terminal; (f) inquiring to said relay apparatuses aboutsaid delivery history information by wireless, by said center apparatus;(g) transmitting said delivery history information to said centerapparatus if stored therein, by said relay apparatuses; (h) collectingand counting said delivery history information and inquiring to each ofsaid relay apparatuses about said user information of said mobilecommunication terminal having logged into in said service area of eachof said relay apparatuses, by said center apparatus; and (i)transmitting from said mobile communication terminal to said centerapparatus said relay position identification information assignedthereto within said service area and said utilization historyinformation stored therein in combination with said user informationwhen inquired about said user information of said mobile communicationterminal having logged into in said service area.